Chapter 679
Malice
Chapter 679 Malice
Those around him didn't know how to react and could only nod and murmur.
Perhaps it was because he met the scholars after entering the city that the eldest son, who had repeatedly failed the imperial examinations, began to have different thoughts.
This was never the case in Black Wind Village before.
Lin Ziqi was showing off in front of Qin Siyuan: "Your Highness Prince Qi is truly brilliant. He came up with such a good idea, and I just happened to be nearby, which is why I was entrusted with this important task."
Then, with a regretful tone, he probed, "Mr. Songshan was only focused on explaining his strategies, and you were only focused on listening. Otherwise, you should at least be Brother Siyuan, who is Mr. Songshan's disciple."
Qin Siyuan smiled faintly: "I wouldn't dare. I've only consulted Mr. Songshan a few times, and I wouldn't dare call myself his disciple. Mr. Songshan is very talented and knowledgeable. I have benefited greatly from even a little guidance from him."
"Ziqi is capable, so he should be given more work. If his proposal catches the eye of a high-ranking official, all the scholars in the land will be grateful to him."
Lin Ziqi grew increasingly smug, and seeing that Qin Siyuan showed no sign of jealousy, he couldn't help but add, "Brother Siyuan, you know my status. It's just that His Highness Prince Qi is doing this because of my father-in-law and brother-in-law."
Qin Siyuan laughed and said, "Ziqi, why be so modest? Gan Luo became prime minister at the age of twelve, and he still had to recommend himself before he could show his talent. How much more so for us? If you can handle the exam preparation, I might as well help you out. But... I'm really a bit overwhelmed. Please forgive me, Ziqi."
Lin Ziqi, who was initially quite pleased with himself, became somewhat uncomfortable after hearing the rest of the story.
This is the time to focus your energy on exam preparation; wasting time on this seems inappropriate.
But if we let this opportunity to climb pass us by...
Lin Ziqi frowned.
A scholar who knew them both squeezed through the crowd and greeted them with a smile: "So you two were talking here. I've been looking for you for ages."
Upon seeing the newcomer, Lin Ziqi smiled and said, "What brings you here, Brother Wu?"
“The renowned Mr. Songshan and Young Master Nantang are both coming, how can I not come?” After saying that, he asked, “Brother Ziqi, it’s already this late… do you think Young Master Nantang will show up tonight?”
Lin Ziqi said confidently, "Lord Gu personally went to invite him, he will definitely come."
"I've heard that Young Master Nantang is difficult to invite; even members of the imperial family can't get him to come."
Lin Ziqi smiled and said, "Young Master Nantang and Mr. Songshan are good friends. Mr. Songshan is an honored guest at the Marquis of Dingbei's residence. He has to give face to Marquis Gu."
Qin Siyuan couldn't help but add, "Young Master Nantang is a man of his word; Lord Gu should be able to invite him. However..."
"But what?" Wu Juren stared at Qin Siyuan, his tone slightly sour: "I heard that Brother Siyuan has been enlightened by the young master of Nantang and has become a disciple of Master Songshan. He will surely win the imperial examination next year. We are so envious. Brother Ziqi, when you become successful in the future, don't forget your old friend."
Qin Siyuan hurriedly waved his hand: "It is true that I was fortunate to receive guidance from Young Master Nantang, but I have never become a disciple of Master Songshan. Master Songshan is a famous scholar from Wu and Chu. I am not very talented and have only been fortunate to receive some guidance from Master Songshan. How dare I call myself his disciple?"
Scholar Wu said sourly, "As the saying goes, those near the water get the moon first. Siyuan is related to the Marquis's family by marriage and can receive guidance from two such esteemed people. We don't have such a privilege."
Lin Ziqi quickly said, "You can't say that. I'm also related to the Marquis's family by marriage, but I don't have that kind of connection."
"Oh?" Scholar Wu looked at the two of them meaningfully.
Lin Ziqi remained silent.
Qin Siyuan couldn't help but frown slightly.
These days I've been buried in my studies at home, and haven't seen my roommate, Wu, for over a month. I can vaguely sense the malice in his words. I can't even remember when or what I did to offend him.
"If Brother Wu wishes to consult with Mr. Songshan, why not take this opportunity to submit a note to Ranxiangju? If you are selected, Mr. Songshan will certainly impart all his knowledge to you."
Lin Ziqi suddenly laughed and said, "Mr. Songshan's scholarship goes without saying. He was not stumped by the discussion on the four classes of people and the discussion on politics by scholars. We all know that he is knowledgeable and has a strong memory. However, the most important thing for the imperial examination next spring is the essay on the eight-legged essay. In this aspect, he may not be able to match the essay teachers in the Shuhai Pavilion."
Scholar Wu seconded, "Brother Ziqi has a point. Although Mr. Songshan is a renowned scholar in both Wu and Chu regions, he is not widely known in the capital, that's one reason. Secondly..."
"What is the second one?"
Qin Siyuan remained silent, so Lin Ziqi chimed in to prevent him from uttering a word.
Wu, the scholar, laughed and said, "That's exactly what Brother Ziqi meant. The collection of essays published by Shuhai Pavilion is made by people who are good at writing essays in the eight-legged essay style. These people are either Hanlin scholars, or Jinshi who ranked in the top ten in a certain year, or even some academy heads. Mr. Songshan is a famous scholar, so he doesn't need to take the imperial examination."
Lin Ziqi nodded repeatedly.
The two were talking happily, which attracted the attention of several scholars nearby.
Just as Qin Siyuan was about to retort, Gu Baozhu called out, "Brother Qin, come here quickly, Mr. Songshan wants to talk to you."
Qin Siyuan immediately replied, "Coming!"
Then he nodded to the two people who were both envious and jealous, "Please continue your conversation here."
After Wu Juren had walked away, he quietly asked Lin Ziqi, "Was that the seventh young lady of the Marquis of Dingbei's mansion just now?"
"Exactly."
"After this is done, can you really help me make the marriage arrangement happen?"
Lin Ziqi smiled and said, "As the saying goes, anything is possible with human effort. Although I dare not make any guarantees, I can indeed say a few words. Her half-brother and I are good friends, as you all know, he is Master Gu."
Scholar Wu also laughed.
He had indeed heard about what kind of person Master Gu was.
He whispered, "Then let's wait for Young Master Nantang to arrive..."
Lin Ziqi nodded, his eyes filled with determination.
Qin Siyuan walked to Mr. Songshan's side, bowed, and said, "What can I do for you, sir?"
Mr. Songshan said, “Young Master Nantang will be here later. I’m also a bit thirsty and was just about to rest. I originally planned to pick some essay topics to talk about today, but people kept asking questions, so it was delayed. Did you write down everything I just said? Shen Changle said that it will be published tomorrow, and a draft is needed. It would be best if you could recite it from memory.”
The implication was that he didn't want to talk anymore, and that Qin Yuan would deal with the scholars.
Qin Siyuan chuckled: "Young Master Nantang also said that it would be best if the teacher could give all the advice today, the more the better, and it would be even better if she didn't have to appear."
Mr. Songshan swallowed hard: "Even if I were telling stories in the entertainment district, I should be allowed to rest. Besides, she was the one who first proposed the policy discussion, so we should let her take the lead."
He then glared and said, "I hadn't even finished speaking when the Prince of Qi said that everyone should list their proposals and submit them to the Eastern Palace. Lin Ziqi looked so obsequious, he had no scholarly integrity whatsoever. This is no longer a discussion of policies, it's clearly a political debate."